Presidential Dogs

AUTHOR(S)

BRECHER, ELINOR J.

PUB. DATE

March 2009

SOURCE

Nieman Reports;Spring2009, Vol. 63 Issue 1, p98

SOURCE TYPE

Periodical

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

The article examines the history of dogs and other pets of U.S. Presidents. The popular enthusiasm and curiosity created by the election night promise of then-President-elect Barack Obama to buy a puppy for his two young daughters is described, and presented as part of a longstanding interest in the pets of Presidents. Only four Presidents did not keep pets during their administrations, the last being Chester A. Arthur in the 1880s. Celebrated incidents involving the pets of Presidents are recounted, including the "Checkers" speech of vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon in 1952, and the controversy created by Lyndon Johnson when he was photographed lifting one of his beagles by the ears. It is noted that although he kept pets only briefly, Harry Truman had the most famous quotation on Presidential pets, saying that if one wanted a friend in Washington, D.C., they should buy a dog.